GENERAL AWARENESS PRACTICE MCQs FOR ALL BANK EXAMS

1. On 23 September 2015, RBI said it will shortly issue banknotes in Rs.50 denomination. It is as per .........
1) Mahatma Gandhi Series - 2010
2) Mahatma Gandhi Series - 2015
3) Mahatma Gandhi Series - 2008
4) Mahatma Gandhi Series - 2007
5) Mahatma Gandhi Series - 2005

2. New Rs.50 denomination note will have the numerals in both the number panels in .......
1) Ascending size from right to left while the first three alpha - numeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size.
2) Ascending size from left to right while the first five alpha-numeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size.
3) Descending size from left to right while the first three alpha-numeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size.
4) Ascending size from left to right while the first three alpha - numeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size.
5) None of above is the correct option

3. As declared by RBI on 23 September 2015, the New Rs.50 banknote will have ..........
1) inset letter 'R'
2) inset letter 'S'
3) inset letter 'X'
4) inset letter 'Z'
5) inset letter 'A'

4. Rs.50 bear the signature of .........
1) Finance Minister
2) Finance Secretary
3) Governor of RBI
4) Prime Minister of India
5) President of India

5. New Rs.50 bank note will have ......... printed on the reverse.
1) the year of RBI establishment 1935 on the reverse side
2) the year of RBI nationalization 1949 on the reverse side
3) the year of independence of India 1947 on front side
4) the year of printing 2015 on the reverse side
5) None of above is the correct option

6. Reserve Bank of India will shortly put into circulation banknotes in the denominations of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 incorporating three new/ revised features as per its press release on 22 September 2015. Three new/ revised features are ...........
1) Descending size of numerals in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark.
2) Descending size of alphabets in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark.
3) Ascending size of numerals in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark.
4) Ascending size of alphabets in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark.
5) Zero size of numerals in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark.

7. As stated on 22 September 2015, which features are introduced for the benefit of visually impaired persons in the denominations of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 that will be issued shortly?
1) Rs.500 denomination will have five angular bleed lines in three sets of 2-1-2 lines on the obverse in both, the upper left and the right hand edge of the banknote.
2) Rs.1000 banknotes will have six angular bleed lines in four sets of 1-2-2-1 lines on the obverse in both, the upper left and right hand edge of the banknotes.
3) Rs.500 denomination will have four angular bleed lines in three sets of 2-2 lines on the obverse in both, the upper left and the right hand edge of the banknote.
4) 2 and 3 options correct
5) 1 and 2 options correct

8. Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Museum unveiled a special display on Mysore Coins on August 20, 2015. Where is RBI Monetary Museum?
1) Pune
2) Kolkata
3) Mumbai
4) Chennai
5) Hyderabad

9. What reason told by RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on 18 September 2015 for not issuing the high denomination currency above Rs.1000 bank note presently?
1) Cost of high denomination notes are more.
2) World Bank not accepting to mint higher denomination above Rs.1000.
3) Fear of counterfeiting.
4) Finance minister warned RBI not to mint higher denomination.
5) None of the above statement is correct statement.

10. RBI declared it has withdrawn the instructions on compensation to banks at ........... of the notional value of counterfeit notes detected.
1) 10 percent
2) 15 percent
3) 25 percent
4) 50 percent
5) 5 percent

11. The RBI doubles Limits of Cash Withdrawal at POS for Tier III to VI Centres on 27 August 2015. Locate the correct statement regarding this.
1) RBI doubled the limit for cash withdrawal at point-of-sale (POS) in Tier III to VI centres from Rs.1000/- to Rs.2000/- per day.
2) The cash withdrawal limit remains unchanged at Rs.1000/- per day at Tier I and II centres.
3) In 2009, RBI enabled cash withdrawal at Point-of-Sale (POS) for debit cards
4) In 2013 this facility was extended to prepaid cards issued by the banks.
5) All above statements are correct

12. Which bank accredited by the Green Climate Fund as an implementing entity for climate change-related projects in India?
1) SBH
2) Canara Bank
3) NABARD
4) SBI
5) YES Bank

13. RBI proposed to allow domestic companies to borrow money from PFs, SWF and Insurance Funds as part of the ECBs. SWF stands for ..........
1) Singapore Wealth Fund
2) Supreme Wealth Fund
3) Sovereign Wealth Fund
4) Strict Wrap Fund
5) Signature Wealth Fund

14. FMC merged with SEBI on 28 September 2015. FMC is the chief regulator of commodity futures markets in India. FMC stands for .........
1) Forward Markets Commission
2) Forward Markets Core
3) Front Markets Commission
4) Forward Mark Commission
5) None

15. Forward Markets Commission established in ........
1) 1953
2)1972
3)1992
4) 1935
5) 2001

16. The Forward Markets Commission chairman at the time of merger with SEBI is .......
1) U.K. Sinha
2) Ashishkumar Chauhan
3) Chitra Ramakrishna
4) Raghuram Rajan
5) Ramesh Abhishek

17. Qualcomm, an American global semiconductor company that designs and markets wireless telecommunications products and services announced to invest $ 150 million to provide local innovative start-ups to help country's Mobile and Internet of Everything (IOE) ecosystem in India. Present Executive Chairman of Qualcomm .......
1) Mark Zuckerberg
2) Paul E. Jacobs
3) Satya Nadella
4) Jack Dorsey
5) Marissa Mayer

18. SEBI on 22 September 2015 imposed a penalty of Rs.7269.5 crore, the biggest in its history on which company and its four directors for illegal and fraudulent mobilization of funds from the public?
1) New Delhi Television (NDTV)
2) Rajratan Investments
3) Brook Laboratories
4) Pearls Agrotech Corporation Limited (PACL)
5) Reliance Industries

19. India on 2 October 2015 pledged to cut its carbon emission intensity by 33-35 percent and increase the share of renewable energy by a massive 40 percent in its total energy mix by ......
1) 2020
2) 2019
3) 2022
4) 2030
5) 2016

20. 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC), COP21 or CMP11 from 30 November to 11 December 2015 will be held at.....?
1) Geneva
2) Paris
3) New York
4) Washington D C
5) New Delhi

21. G-4 summit pressed for the UNO Security Council Reforms on 26 September 2015 held at New York. Which of the following nation is not one of the members of G-4 seeking the permanent membership in security council of UNO?
1) India
2) South Africa
3) Japan
4) Germany
5) Brazil

22. Joint Military Exercise between India and Sri Lanka MITRA SHAKTI 2015 held at .......
1) Mumbai
2) Visakaptanam
3) Kolkata
4) Mumbai
5) Pune

23. Which among the following indigenously developed second generation anti-tank guided missile, successfully test fired on 10 September 2015?
1) Bhishma
2) Aaksash
3) Amogha-I
4) Aditya
5) Nirbhay

24. INS Kochi, the second ship of the Kolkataclass (Project 15A) Guided Missile Destroyer on 30 September 2015 commissioned at ...........
1) Kochi
2) Kolkata
3) Pune
4) Mumbai
5) Balasore

25. The important days in the month of October given. Wrong combination is .......
1) World Vegetarian Day-1 October
2) International Non-violence Day-2 October
3) German Unity Day-3 October
4) World Animal Day-4 October
5) All of above are correct

26. International Day of Older Persons celebrates on ........
1) 1 Jan
2) 1 Apr
3) 1 Jul
4) 1 Oct
5) 1 Dec

27. The International Day of Older Persons 2015 theme is .......
1) You also become old so respect them.
2) Protect the old age people to allow them to survive.
3) Here are the guidelines for respect of old age person.
4) Your care sees your care in the future.
5) Sustainability and age inclusiveness in the urban environment.

28. List of abbreviations given. The wrong combination is .......
1) ANBC - Adjusted Net Bank Credit
2) BBPS - Bharat Bill PAN System
3) CVPS - Currency Verification and Processing System
4) DNSS - Deferred Net Settlement System
5) EMEs - Emerging Market Economies

29. World's 20 largest economies, including India, on 6 September 2015 launched W20, an engagement grouping of women leaders, to push for gender inclusive global economic growth at?
1) Canberra
2) New Delhi
3) Ankara
4) Tokyo
5) Hangseng

ANSWERS:
1-5, 2-4, 3-1K, 4-3, 5-4, 6-3, 7-5, 8-3, 9-3, 10-3
11-5, 12-3, 13-3, 14-1, 15-1, 16-5, 17-2, 18-4, 19-4, 20-2
21-2, 22-5, 23-3, 24-4, 25-5, 26-4, 27-5, 28-2, 29-3

Micro & Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP)

The Micro and Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSECDP) is being implemented for holistic and integrated development of micro and small enterprises in clusters through Soft Interventions (such as capacity building, marketing development, export promotion, skill development, technology upgradation, organizing workshops, seminars, training, study visits, exposure visits, etc.), Hard Interventions (setting up of Common Facility Centers) and Infrastructure Development (create/upgrade infrastructural facilities in the new/existing industrial areas/clusters of MSEs). Assistance is provided for the following activities under the scheme- (i) Preparation of Diagnostic Study Report with Government of India (GoI) grant of maximum Rs 2.50 lakh (ii) Soft Interventions with GoI grant of 75 per cent of the sanctioned amount of the maximum project cost of Rs 25.00 lakh per cluster. For NE & Hill States, Clusters with more than 50 per cent (a) micro/ village (b) women owned (c) SC/ST units, the GoI grant will be 90 per cent. (iii) Detailed Project Report (DPR) with GoI grant of maximum Rs 5.00 lakh for preparation of a technical feasible and financially viable project report. (iv) Hard Interventions in the form of tangible assets like Common Facility Centre having machinery and equipment for critical processes, research and development, testing, etc. with GoI grant upto 70 per cent of the cost of project of maximum Rs 15.00 crore. For NE & Hill States, Clusters with more than 50 per cent (a) micro/ village (b) women owned (c) SC/ST units, the GoI grant will be 90 per cent. 7 (v) Infrastructure Development with GoI grant of upto 60 per cent of the cost of project of Rs 10.00 crore, excluding cost of land. GoI grant will be 80 per cent for projects in NE & Hill States, industrial areas/ estates with more than 50 per cent (a) micro (b) women owned (c) SC/ST units. (vi) The GoI assistance shall also be available to Associations of Women Entrepreneurs for establishing exhibition centres at central places for display and sale of products of women owned micro and small enterprises @ 40 per cent of the project cost. A total of 921 interventions in various clusters spread over 28 States and 1 UTs in the country have so far been taken under the programme for Diagnostic Study, Soft Interventions and Hard Interventions (CFCs). Further, 170 projects have been taken up for infrastructure development under the scheme.

Establishment of Science Cities

National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organization under the Union Ministry of Culture is enga ged in establishment of Science Centres throughout the country. NCSM is developing a Science City at Guwahati, Assam which will subsequently be handed over to the Govt. of Assam for future operation and maintenance. Proposals from various state governments have also been received for setting up of Science Cities. The Science Centres/Cities projects are taken up by NCSM in a phased manner depending upon the availability of resources, project handling capacity of NCSM and the existing level of science centre activities in that particular State.

The following proposals have also been received by NCSM for establishment of Science Cities:-
1) Science City, Sampla, Govt. of Haryana
2) Science City, Bengaluru, Govt. of Karnataka
3) Science City, Navi Mumbai, Govt. of Maharashtra
4) Science City, Hyderabad, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (before bifurcation into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh).
5) Science City, Patna, Govt. of Bihar
6) Science City, Nagpur, Govt. of Maharashtra
7) Science City, Bhubaneswar, Govt. of Odishab
8) Science City, Kumhari, Govt. of Chhattisgarh Science Park is now an integral component of all Science Centres and Science Cities.

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

The Census(2011) data showed a significant declining trend in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
at an all time low of 918. The sharp decline pointed out by this data called for urgent action to save the girl child. Towards this end, the government announced Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme to address the issue of decline in CSR through a mass campaign across the country and focussed intervention and multi-sectoral action in 100 gender critical districts. 100 districts have been identified on the basis of low child sex ratio as per Census 2011 covering all states/UTs as a pilot project with at least one district in each state. The three criteria for selection of districts are a) districts below the national average(87 districts in 23 states); b) districts above national average but showing declining trend(8 districts in 8 states) and c) districts above national average and showing increasing trend(5 districts in 5 states) so selected, so that these CSR levels can be maintained and other districts can emulate and learn from their experiences.

A budgetary allocation of Rs 100 cr has been made under the budget announcement for the campaign and Rs 100 cr is to be mobilised from Plan outlay of the planned scheme 'Care and protection of girl child - a multi-sectoral action plan' for the 12th plan. Additional resources could be mobilised through corporate social responsibility at national and state levels. The estimated cost of the scheme is Rs 200 cr, out of which Rs 115 cr is proposed to be released during the current year i.e. 2014-15 (for six months); Rs 45 cr and Rs 40 cr will be released during 2015-16 and 2016-2017 respectively.

•  The overall goal of the scheme is to celebrate the girl child and enable her education. The objectives are to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination and ensure survival, protection and education of the girl child.
•  Eight monitorable targets for this programme have been identified, namely, improving the SRB in 100 gender critical districts by 10 points in a year;
•  Reducing gender differentials in under-five child mortality rate from 8 points in 2011 to 4 points in 2017;
•  Improving the nutrition status of girls by reducing number of underweight and anaemic girls under 5 years of age (from NFHS 3 levels);
•  Ensuring universalisation of ICDS, girls' attendance and equal care monitored using joint ICDS-NRHM Mother Child Protection Cards;
•  Increasing girls' enrollment in secondary education from 76 per cent in 2013-14 to 79 per cent by 2017;
•  Provision of girls' toilets in every school in 100 CSR districts by 2017;
•  Promoting a protective environment for Girl children through implementation of Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act 2012 and;
•  Training elected representatives/grassroots functionaries as community champions to mobilise the communities to improve CSR and promote girls' education. The strategies worked out to achieve these targets included-
•  Implementation of a sustained social mobilisation and communication campaign to create equal value for the girl child and promote her education;
•  Placing of the issue of decline in CSR/SRB in public discourse as part of good governance;
•  Focussing on gender critical districts and cities low on CSR for intensive and integrated action;
•  Mobilising and training panchayati raj institutions/urban local bodies/grassroots workers as catalysts for social change, in partnership with local community/women's/youth groups;
•  Ensuring that service delivery structures/schemes and programmes are sufficiently responsive to issues of gender and children's rights and lastly;
•  Enabling inter-sectoral and inter-institutional convergence at district/block/grassroots levels.

The two major components to achieve the targets of the programme are mass communication campaign on the programme through interlinked national, state and district level interventions with community level action in 100 districts, bringing together different stakeholders for accelerated impact. Multi-sectoral action, drawn up in consultation with MoHFW & MoHRD, would include measurable outcomes and indicators through concerned sectors, states and districts. The states/UTs would adapt a flexible framework for multisectoral action through the state task forces for developing, implementing and monitoring state/district plans of action to achieve their respective specific monitorable targets.

One of the prongs for the success of this programme was advocacy, community mobilisation and
awareness generation. The scheme proposal suggests that community mobilisation could be done through interactive initiatives like Nari ki Chaupal, Beti Janmahotsav, Mann ki Baat etc. A dedicated day could be scheduled every month for celebration of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. National Girl Child day could be celebrated on 24th January every year by all stakeholders including local opinion makers, PRI members, MLAs, MPs etc at district levels led by the district administration of the 100 gender critical districts. International Women's Day could be celebrated to send out a strong message highlighting the importance of gender equality and need of empowering women and girls. Further, celebration of this Day can be used to highlight the contribution of empowered mothers for the BBBP scheme. A pledge for protection, safety, value and education of the girl child may be adopted by the government of India and it may be taken on the occasion of National Girl Child Day.

PAHAL SCHEME

PAHAL stands for Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh which is a Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme, launched by the Centre on 1st January, 2015 with the aim to benefit the LPG consumers. Under this scheme, LPG cylinders will be sold to Cash Transfer Compliant (CTC) consumers at the market determined price, while the cash subsidy will be directly transferred to the bank account of the beneficiary by the following methods:
1. Primary: Consumers having Aadhar number have to get it linked with bank account so as to get the subsidy directly in their bank accounts.
2. Secondary: Consumers lacking Aadhar number will get subsidy in their account after submitting their relevant bank account details to the LPG distributor (A/C No., Name of A/C holder, IFSC code etc).
Consumers who are receiving subsidy directly in their bank accounts are called Cash Transfer Compliant (CTC) Consumers. For the non-CTC Consumers, however, a grace period of three months (with an additional parking period of three months) is allowed to become CTC consumer. But during this period, the non- CTC consumers will be given LPG cylinders at the market determined prices.
A one- time advance is provided to every CTC Consumer joining PAHAL. The advance is notified by the Government from time to time and remains fixed during that financial year. The advance will remain with the consumers till the time of termination of their connection.
The modified scheme had been re launched initially in 54 districts of the country in the first phase and in other parts of the country on 1st January 2015.